OUR SCHOOL STAFF
Nida Khan Vadera
Mrs. Nida Khan Vadera received her AMI Primary 3-6 Training at the Foundation for Montessori
Education in Toronto, Ontario. She completed her undergraduate studies in Early Childhood Education.
She has been working in Childcare for the past 20 years. Most recently her work with Educateur Sans
Frontier led to understanding the gaps and holes in Montessori education in our region. Currently she is
expanding her knowledge in the next plane of development and taking her AMI Elementary 6-12 training at the Montessori Institute of North Texas. Mrs. Vadera lives in Pickering with her husband and two
children. She currently serves as the Head of School.
Ms. Rebecca Bodington
Ms. Boddington attended a Montessori school as a child. This, in a big way, led her to where she is today.
As the unofficial saying goes: ‘Montessori never leaves you’. After completing a Liberal Arts degree
program, she worked with children in various capacities, from volunteering with a youth ministry
organization to teaching a homeschool kindergarten curriculum. Along the way, hearing more and more
about Dr. Montessori, her interest in Maria’s method of teaching began to grow. She completed her AMI
assistant training in 2022. Miss. Bodington is an Assistant in the Children’s House. Currently she is on
part-time status and taking her AMI Assistance to Infancy 0-3 training in London England.
Mrs. Andrea Ferrara
Mrs. Ferrara has lived and has been part of the Ajax/ Pickering community for over 40 years. Andrea has
over 30 years of work experience with children, through summer camps, nanny positions, nursery school
and Montessori. Mrs. Ferrara completed her AMI Orientation Training for children ages 0-3 with the
Washington Montessori Institute. She loves nature walks, reading and spending time with her husband
and their son. She currently serves in the Young Children’s Community.
Ms. Carla Zanetti
Carla Zanetti was born and raised in Kingston, Ontario. She graduated from Queen’s University with a
specialty in languages. Carla pursued postgraduate studies in France at the Université de Montpellier and
the Universita di Perugia in Italy. Upon her return to Canada, she moved to Montreal where she worked
as a bilingual proof-reader, a programmer and a system analyst. Eventually, she started her own business
as an analyst/consultant. Carla and her family have lived in Pickering since 1990. Over the next thirty
years, Carla pursued a career in education, originally with the Durham School Board and subsequently in
a local Montessori school. Her passion and enthusiasm for the Montessori method led her
to take the AMI Montessori training at the Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto for Casa
children (3-6 years of age) and then she served as a Montessori Directress for the next seventeen years. In
2022, when Ms Vadera opened her new school in Pickering, Carla was delighted to accept a position as
consultant with Montessori Casa. Each day, as the need arises, Ms Zanetti assists in a variety of capacities
including adviser and substitute teacher, always ensuring that the children’s needs are met.
Ms. Nicole Stewart
Ms. Stewart is a Casa Guide with 15 years of experience in the field of education. Her introduction to the
Montessori method began in 2009 when she was attending York University and working as Mrs. Vadera's
classroom assistant. She has worked with Casa-aged children ever since. Ms. Stewart also has experience
working with children of all ages and is a Registered Early Childhood Educator. Ms. Stewart earned her
AMI Montessori Primary Certification from the Foundation for Montessori Education in Toronto, which
is recognized globally. When she’s not at school, you can find Ms. Stewart cooking, camping, or dabbling
in her latest hobby, car mods and maintenance.
Ms. Daisy Lopez
Ms. Lopez has her Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Care Practitioner and is also certified as an
AMI Teacher Assistant. She has been working alongside children and youth for the last 10 years. She has
dedicated her path, love, knowledge, education, and passion to nurture, guide, and support our future
generations. She is a mother of two children and lives in Ajax. Previously she has served in the Young
Children’s class and has recently returned from a maternity leave to serve and assist in the Casa
Children’s House.
Ms. Veronica Malfatti
Veronica was born and raised in Toronto, where her early experiences as a Montessori child, combined
with the influence of her mother, an accredited Montessori educator, ignited her lifelong passion.
Veronica was deeply involved in the performing arts which led her to study at the Randolph Academy of
Performing Arts and earn a diploma in Triple Threat Performance. Despite her achievements in the arts,
Veronica recognized that her true vocation lay in teaching and nurturing young minds. She graduated as a
Casa directress in 2015 from the Foundation for Montessori Education, the A.M.I. training center in
Toronto. Since then, Veronica has gained extensive experience as a lead guide in Children’s House
classrooms across Toronto as well as abroad in Southern California and Arizona. In 2022, Veronica
embraced motherhood and is grateful to follow her son, Theo, on his own journey through Montessori
education. She remains deeply committed to creating and sustaining a nurturing environment where
children can thrive and is thankful to be a part of the loving and inspiring Montessori Casa community.
Veronica currently serves as a guide in the Casa Children’s House.
Mrs. Wendi Ma Bertuzzi
Wendi started her career as a professional dancer and holds a diploma in children’s education. Her
professional experience working with youth includes Montessori, teaching dance and running outdoor
education programs for private schools. Outside of work Wendi leads an active child-focused lifestyle as
the mother of 3 boys aged 13, 11 and 8. Family hobbies include winters of skiing and skating, and
summers at the cottage exploring and travelling the world including 5 countries in 2024 alone! Wendi is
excited to be back this fall at Montessori Casa and recently began professional development in an AMI 0-
3 orientation training. Wendi currently serves in our Young Children’s Community.
Mrs. Brandi Harron
Mrs. Harron has been working in and advocating for education for more than a decade. She became a
Registered Early Childhood Educator in 2011 and has worn many hats within the profession since that
time. After completing the Early Childhood Education diploma program at Centennial College, she
elected to deepen her understanding of the field by completing a degree in Early Childhood Studies from
Charles Sturt University, and a master’s degree from Brock University in the social and cultural contexts
of education. In addition to becoming a part of the Montessori Casa community, Mrs. Harron is also a
faculty member of an Early Childhood Education program within the Ontario College system.
Mrs. Maria Aragno
Maria was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a loving and nurturing family with five
siblings. She brings over 35 years of experience working with children and families in both
Argentina and Canada.
Maria holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has completed numerous professional
development workshops on topics such as multiple intelligences, neuroscience, ASD, ADHD,
and classroom management. Her experience includes working extensively with children with
various neurological conditions in both countries.
Currently, Maria is honored to be part of the Montessori Casa community, where she is
committed to nurturing children’s spirits and guiding them on their journey to become
compassionate and capable individuals, contributing to a brighter future. She is proud to work
alongside a dedicated team of exceptional educators in pursuit of this goal.